Abstract: The invention relates to mutant forms of lysenin. The invention also relates to analyte characterisation using lysenin.

Abstract: The invention relates to modified helicases with reduced unbinding from polynucleotides. The helicases can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: The systems and methods perform simulations in a systematic way as to minimize redundant data fetching and computations and reduce run-time. The systems and methods can cache information that can be used across multiple control strategies and speed up the process of simulation by several orders of magnitude. A business analyst can first generate a set of matching criteria that meets business intuition for the specific initiative and set of stores under analysis. A systematic approach in building similar sites models from control strategies that are combinations of this set of matching criteria can be applied to minimize data extraction and processing. The similarity function allows for the distance of each criterion to be combined linearly. Data for each matching criteria only needs to be extracted once but can be used in all control strategies that uses that criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include creating a variant control profile for the CCPP for a power plant model of the CCPP. The method may include modifying the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile not reducing the fuel consumption or meeting the quality threshold. The method may also include adjusting the CCPP to use the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile reducing the fuel consumption and meeting the quality threshold. Using the variant control profile adjusts a turbine section inlet temperature schedule or an exhaust temperature schedule for the CCPP.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include generating a power plant model for operating the CCPP, determining whether at least two gas turbines in the power plant model generate a power output, and modeling a fuel consumption of the CCPP for a baseline split ratio between the at least two gas turbines. The method may also include determining whether the variant split ratio meets a quality threshold for the CCPP, and adjusting the CCPP to use the variant split ratio in response to the variant split ratio meeting the quality threshold.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a combined cycle power plant (CCPP). The method may include creating a variant control profile for the CCPP for a power plant model of the CCPP. The method may include modifying the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile not reducing the fuel consumption or meeting the quality threshold. The method may also include adjusting the CCPP to use the variant control profile in response to the variant control profile reducing the fuel consumption and meeting the quality threshold. Using the variant control profile adjusts a turbine section inlet temperature schedule or an exhaust temperature schedule for the CCPP.

Abstract: A compost bin module for aerobic decomposition of organic matter. The module is in the form of a container comprising a free-standing portable structural frame for placement on or above the ground. It further comprises removable sidewalls, and an open top and open bottom. Each of said removable side walls insertable into the structural frame and laterally restrained thereby. The structural frame comprises at least three spaced-apart posts, at least an equal number of structural members spanning between and interconnecting the posts, each of the structural members spanning between two adjacent posts at or near their base.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system is provided. The energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system provides a series of spaced apart barrier units, wherein adjacent barrier units are interconnected by a cable linkage, enabling the modularity that limits damage to the barrier system and facilitates segmented replacement. Each barrier unit provides a vertically spaced apart net of longitudinal cables, each longitudinal cable terminates adjacent the opposing end faces of its barrier unit in the form of a loop, protruding through the end face. The resulting column of spaced apart loops nest with the adjacent barrier unit's column of spaced apart loops in an aligned configuration so that a pin secures both sets of columns, providing the cable linkage. The barrier units are made from no fine concrete that crumbles upon collision so as to absorb energy. The system sits on a substructure also adapted to absorb the energy of a high-speed collision.

Abstract: The systems and methods perform simulations in a systematic way as to minimize redundant data fetching and computations and reduce run-time. The systems and methods can cache information that can be used across multiple control strategies and speed up the process of simulation by several orders of magnitude. A business analyst can first generate a set of matching criteria that meets business intuition for the specific initiative and set of stores under analysis. A systematic approach in building similar sites models from control strategies that are combinations of this set of matching criteria can be applied to minimize data extraction and processing. The similarity function allows for the distance of each criterion to be combined linearly. Data for each matching criteria only needs to be extracted once but can be used in all control strategies that uses that criteria.

Abstract: A Compound bow adapter allowing a firearm bore-sight laser to be used for arrow and bow sight alignment. The adapter would allow the utilization of a firearm bore-sight laser for both firearms and compound bows.

Abstract: A compost bin module for aerobic decomposition of organic matter. The module is in the form of a container comprising a free-standing portable structural frame for placement on or above the ground. It further comprises removable sidewalls, and an open top and open bottom. Each of said removable side walls insertable into the structural frame and laterally restrained thereby. The structural frame comprises at least three spaced-apart posts, at least an equal number of structural members spanning between and interconnecting the posts, each of the structural members spanning between two adjacent posts at or near their base.

Abstract: A coconut tap (10) comprising a tubular body (12) having first and second ends (14, 16) and a tapered portion adjacent the first end (14). A pin (22) is received in the body (12) such that a pointed first end thereof protrudes through an opening (18) in the first end (14) of the body (12). One or more apertures (28) are provided in the body (12) adjacent the first end (14) such that the first end (14) of may be inserted through the inner shell (13) of a coconut (11) at the site of an eye (15) such that the apertures (28) are located inside the inner shell (13) to allow water from within the coconut (11) to enter the body (12) and exit via the open second end (16).

Abstract: The systems and methods perform simulations in a systematic way as to minimize redundant data fetching and computations and reduce run-time. The systems and methods can cache information that can be used across multiple control strategies and speed up the process of simulation by several orders of magnitude. A business analyst can first generate a set of matching criteria that meets business intuition for the specific initiative and set of stores under analysis. A systematic approach in building similar sites models from control strategies that are combinations of this set of matching criteria can be applied to minimize data extraction and processing. The similarity function allows for the distance of each criterion to be combined linearly. Data for each matching criteria only needs to be extracted once but can be used in all control strategies that uses that criteria.

Abstract: A tire rotation device includes a mounting member having at least one aperture configured to receive at least one lifting member. The tire rotation device further includes a rotating member configured to receive a tire.

Abstract: A system and method have a choke in fluid communication with a rotating control device. The choke controls flow of drilling mud from the rotating control device to a gas separator during a controlled pressure drilling operation, such as managed pressure drilling (MPD) or underbalanced drilling (UBD). A probe is in fluid communication with the drilling mud between the choke and the gas separator. During operations, the probe evaluates gas in the drilling mud from the well passing from the choke to the gas separator.

Abstract: A tire rotation device includes a mounting member having at least one aperture configured to receive at least one lifting member. The tire rotation device further includes a rotating member configured to receive a tire.

Abstract: A computer-based method for gamifying ride sharing, including: storing computer readable instructions in at least one memory element of at least one computer; and executing, using at least one processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to: accept a first input including a sign-up by a user for a game; accept a second input including information regarding single occupant vehicle trips reduced by the user; assign, according to the information, a position of the user on a virtual board for the game, a ranking of the user in the game and at least one reward to the user; and transmit, for display, a graphical representation of the virtual board including the position of the user.

Abstract: Hollowcore apparatus for forming a concrete hollowcore slab, comprises a casting bed, side wall elements extending longitudinally of the casting bed for defining sides of a casting mould, at least one non-sacrificial inflatable core former, at least one, preferably non-sacrificial sleeve for substantially receiving the core former, the core former and the sleeve being interconnected and the in use sleeve being turnable inside out by removal of the core former from the casting bed, and at least one holder for preventing or limiting uplift of the in use inflated core former and sleeve relative to the casting bed. A method and hollowcore slab are also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is disclosed for analyzing a business initiative for a business network including business locations separated into control group sites and test sites that have implemented the business initiative for a predetermined test period. Each of the sites have an associated set of attributes reflecting various characteristics corresponding to the respective site, such as geographical location, size of business location, number of employees, etc. In one aspect of the invention, a process is performed that collects a performance value for each of the test and control group sites reflecting a level of performance of each respective sites during the test period. The performance of the test sites is then measured relative to the performance of the control sites over the same time period.